By Taylor, Lanny, and Alex

What is it?  Leukemia is an abnormal rise in the number of white blood cells. The white blood cells crowd out other blood cell elements such as red blood cells and platelets. The elevated white blood cells are immature and do not function properly.

Causes?  Hair dye  Smoking and tobacco use.  Being exposed to large amounts of radiation.  Being exposed to certain chemicals in the workplace.  Past chemotherapy or radiation for another cancer.  Most types of leukemia do not seem to run in families. But in some cases chronic lymphotic leukemia does. There are also certain genetic conditions, like Down syndrome, that can make acute myelogenous leukemia more likely.

Detection?  Physical Exam- Doctor will check for physical signs of leukemia  Blood Tests- Examine white blood cell count  Bone Marrow Test- Bone marrow drawn to look for leukemia cells. Specialized tests of leukemia cells may reveal certain characteristics that are used to determine treatment options.

Stages?  Unlike most types of cancer, there are no stages of leukemia used to describe the progression except for chronic lymphocytic leukemia.  There are other ways of classifying these forms of leukemia. (Acute, Chronic; Lymphocytic, Myelogenous)  Even if stages of leukemia are not used to express the extent of the cancer, it's still important to know how the disease has progressed in order to plan treatment.

Stages Cnt…  Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia is the most common type of leukemia among young children, although adults can get it as well, especially those over the age of 65. Survival rates of at least five years range from 85% among children and 50% among adults.  Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia is most common among adults over % of treated CLL patients survive for over five years.  Acute Myelogenous Leukemia is more common among adults than children, and affects males significantly more often than females. 40% of treated patients survive for over 5 years  In Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia the vast majority of patients are adults. 90% of treated patients survive for over 5 years.

Effects?  Fever or chills  Persistent fatigue, weakness  Frequent infections  Losing weight without trying  Swollen lymph nodes, enlarged liver or spleen  Easy bleeding or bruising  Tiny red spots in your skin (petechiae)  Excessive sweating, especially at night  Bone pain or tenderness

Treatments?  Treatment decisions are based on the kind of leukemia you have, its stage, and your age and general health.  Chemotherapy-Using drugs to attack cancer cells  Intrathecal chemotherapy treats these areas by injecting the drugs directly into your spinal canal  Radiation therapy uses high doses of radiation, such as X-rays, to destroy cancer cells  Biological therapy works by helping your immune system recognize and attack leukemia cells.  Bone Marrow and Stem cell transplants.

Cure?  There is no cure but with recent developments in cancer treatment, new and better ways to fight leukemia are available.

Prevention?  There is no known way to prevent leukemia.  But staying away from factors the can cause leukemia can decrease your chances of acquiring it.

Additional Info?  The prognosis of leukemia depends upon several factors, including the patient's age, the type of leukemia, and the extent to which the cancer has spread.  New cases: 47,150 Deaths: 23,540  If the spleen starts destroying red blood cells and platelets, it may need to be removed.  People who have leukemia may enter a research program when they first start treatment or if the leukemia is not getting better. These programs test new ways to treat the disease.

Support Groups?  The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society  Cancer Support Community  American Cancer Society  Bone Marrow Transplant Support Group  Adult Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia List

Sources  pportgroups.html pportgroups.html  treatment-overview?page=2 treatment-overview?page=2  ng-leukemia-basics ng-leukemia-basics  cause cause  -of-leukemia.html -of-leukemia.html